NYC Legalizes Jaywalking Amid Racial Justice Efforts

New York City has legalized jaywalking, a practice previously illegal since 1958, following legislation passed by the City Council and enacted without Mayor Eric Adams' signature. The move is largely seen as a racial justice measure, addressing criticisms that jaywalking laws were disproportionately enforced against Black and Latino communities, with over 90% of citations previously issued to these groups. Council members, including Mercedes Narcisse and Tiffany Cabán, argue that penalizing jaywalking did not enhance safety and diverted police resources from more critical issues. While the new law permits crossing streets against signals, it emphasizes that pedestrians do not have the right of way and should yield to traffic. The risk associated with jaywalking remains significant, with 200 fatalities reported over the past five years. The legislation also reflects a broader trend towards decriminalization in the city.